Controlling system



May 1, 1928.

' L. E. TOPHAM CONTROLLING swsrau Fil ed Feb. 12., 192:

Patented May 1, 1928.

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CHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATEBSON,

JERSEY.-

OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO UNITED SHOE 1m- NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW CONTROLLING SYSTEM.

Application filed February 12, 1923. Serial No. 618,618.

This invention relates to systems for automatically controlling the operation of a machine, being particularly useful for stop-' ping such machine in event of failure to de- 5 liver thereto a work-portion which is to be operated upon. An example of an application of the invention is furnished by machines which assemble sheets of material to produce composite insoles for shoes. Such a machine is disclosed in the application for Letters Patent, filed in the name of Frederick H. Perry, upon April 20, 1922, this hearing the Serial Number 555,774. In this, out por tions or sheets of cloth, and leather or a 1 leather substitute, or both, are transferred from magazines in which they are held to molds, by which they are formed and pressed together with an intermediate adhesive. If the transferring mechanism fails to engage a sole-portion properly, an imperfect product will result. Moreover, in event of such faulty delivery,'the portion bearing the adhesive may be placed with its coated surface upon the mold. This may prevent the ejecting devices from removing the adhered portion sothat upon a succeeding operation the superposition of other sole-portions will give an abnormal thickness of material between the molds. Upon the application of pressure, this introduces the possibility of breakage of the machine.

In view of the above-stated conditions, an object of the invention is to provide a controlling system by which the action of a machine, for example one of the character above indicated, wholly or in part, may be modified to prevent operation in absence of a workportion properly engaged for transfer or delivery. In the accomplishment of this object, I utilize the movement of a delivering device for the work-portion, which device may or may not accomplish the transfer from a holder or magazine, for controlling the mechanism which operates upon such work-portion. This control is preferably effected through a member movable upon the delivery device by the work-portion. The control is best exercised at a particular point in the action of the delivery device, as after the engagement of the work-portion and during its initial movement at other times, as when the device is returning in preparation for another delivery, the absence of the work-portion should not of transfer; but

-ing 14, driven by independently of the presence or absence of.

a correctly engaged work-portion. When the controlled machine is of the multi-station or turret type, as that in which there are a plurality of mechanisms for simultaneously operating upon the work, each of the corresponding delivery means shares in the control. Consequently, the operations will not take place unless all the mechanisms are supplied. As herein illustrated, the motor or driving mechanism of the machine is the portion controlled, and this motor I prefer to be of the electric type. Therefore, the means for governing it, as that under the in- 'fluence of the delivery device and that independently operated by the machine, may consist of contact devices included in a controlling circuit. I also find it desirable to employ an energizing circuit for the motor closed by an electro-magnetic device, the latter, in turn, being in a circuit with the contact devices. These circuits furnish a chain of connections between the controllingdevices and the motor, which organizatlon is to be understood as not necessarily electrical.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated a particular embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 shows in perspective the entire controlling organization, save that some of the stations are omitted;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the contact devices controlled by the work-portions together with parts of the transferring device and the controlled electro-magnet;

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of the contact device coratrolled in the operation of the machine; an o Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the circuitconnections for the apparatus.

Of the insole-assembling machine previously referred to, only the more essential elements are shown. At 10 appears a turret rotated by a vertical shaft 12 through gear a belt 16 from a suitable source of power. Preferably, the power is provided by an electric motor, indicated diagrammatically at 19. Mounted upon the turret and corresponding to each of four operating positions, are molds 18, each separated from the adjacent molds by 90. Arranged to reciprocate vertically at each position, and actuated through connections from the shaft 12, is a mold 21, each co-operating with the companion mold at the time alined with it. Situated at each position is a magazine or holder 22 for the work-portions as cut layers which are to make up the insoles to be produced. The molds 2l'and the magazines 22 appear in the drawing at but two of the four positions. For the delivery of a work-portion from the magazine to the particular mold 18 temporarily associated with it, a delivering mechanism 24 is provided at each position. This may consist of an arm carried by a vertical shaft 26 journaled in the frame of the machine, and

' having at its outer extremity a casing 28, in

which are carried picking devices, indicated by the curved prongs 30, 30,(projecting downwardly from the under si e of the casing, and which directly engage the work for the purpose of its delivery. These picking or delivery devices are organized in any suitable manner to be projected into the workportion against which they are forced, so that this portion will be lifted from the top of the stack in the magazine, and held for transfer to the mold. Thereafter, upon downward movement of the device, the work-' portion is released and deposited upon the mold. The complete operating cycle of this picking and deliverin organization is as follows: From a position above the ma azine the picking device descends vertically under the influence of cam mechanism 32,

operated from a vertical shaft 34 rotated through gearing 36. Having engaged the uppermost sheet in the magazine, the icking device travels upwardl to its initia position, and then is revolve through 180 by gearing 38, also actuated from the shaft 34. When," as a result of this travel, the picking device is directly over the mold, it again descends under the influence of the cam the supply-conductors 42 mechanism 32, deposits the transferred piece, rises, and is revolved into re istration with the magazine for the succeeding operation. This action is going on simultaneously at each of the four work-positions.

The motor 19 is shown as joined by conductors 42 to a generator 40 of electrical energy. To disconnect the driving force from the machine and thus stop its action,

ass through a. switch 44. This may be of the snap type, carrying upon its spindle two sets of ratchet teeth 46, 46.' The ratchet-teeth are enga ed by oppositely acting awls 48, 48 move 1e upon oscillatory carrier-disks 50, 50, surrounding the switch-spindle. Each disk is connected by a link 52 to an arm 54 fixed upon a shaft 56 journaled horizontally upon the machine-frame. Secured to the shaft are one or more handles 58, by which it may be turned. Upward movement of the handle causes the engagement of one of the pawls 48 with its ratchet-teeth to move the switch 44 to a position to close the energizing circuit of the motor and start the machine. Then the handle is lowered, the other pawl and ratchet comes into action to turn the switch through 90 and open the circuit, stopping the machine. Unless otherwise controlled, the shaft 56 is turned to depress the handle 58 to stopping position by a spring 59 connecting an arm 61, fast upon the shaft 56, to some fixed point, as the frame of the machine.

To cause the driving of the machine, and the consequent operation of the molds upon the work-portions, to be dependent upon the correct engagement of such portions by the picking devices, the position of the shaft 56 is controlled by the engagement of the picking devices with the worlcportions and a movement of transfer of the latter from the magazines to the molds. Fastened upon the shaft'56 is an arm 60, upon which is pivoted the armature 62 of an electro-inagnet 64 mounted upon the frame. Conductors 66 join the winding of the magnet with the current-source 40. These conductors pass in series through contact devices (38 at each operating position, but two of the enclosing casings 70 of these, however being shown in Fig. 1. Suitably sup orted at each operating position is one of the casings 70, in which are mounted and insulated from each other a contact-spring 72, furnishing one terminal of a gap in the conductors'66, and a co-operating contact-block 74, furnishing the other terminal. The block is shown as fixed upon the upper face of a lever 7 6 fulcrumed within the casing and preferably made of insulating material, this lever havin an upturned extremity 78, upon which rides the free end of the contact-spring 72. The pressure of this spring holds the lever normally depressed; then when this is raised, the spring slides over it into engagement with the block 74 to close the circuit at this point. Depending through an opening in the under side of the casing 70 is a pin pivoted upon the lower portion of the lever 76. This pin is provided with a lateral exlot) tension 82 joined by a tension-spring 84 to vertical position, yet permitting it to yield .about its pivotal point under the influence of pressure. When any one of the picking devlces is in a position in which it travels vertically to remove a work-portion from a magazine, the pin 80 ofthis picking device is alined with a plunger 86 mounted to slide vertically in the casing 28 of the transferring mechanism. The plunger may be held lowered by gravity, its head 88 resting upon the top of the casing 28 and its opposite extremity projecting below the bottom of the casing. When a work-portion has been properly engaged for transfer by the prongs 30, 30, its pressure against this lower end of the plunger raises the head 88, so that upon elevation of the arm 24 in preparation for its revolution to the delivery-position, the upper surface of the head strikes the point of the pin. This swings the lever 76 upwardly, so that the contactblock 74 comes against the spring 72 to close this gap in the circuit. Since this same action is occurring at each of the operating ositions, all four of the breaks in the con uctors 66 will be bridged to supply current from the source to the winding of the 'electro-magnet 64. Therefore, if the arm 58 has been depressed, the armature of the magnet will be held down, its arm 60 retaining the shaft 56 at the angle which causes the closure of the switch 44 and the delivery of current from the generator to the motor.

Since it is desired that the operation of the machine shall not be interrupted by the normal deposit of a sole-portion upon a mold 18, means is provided for periodically nullifying the effect of the contact devices 68. This is efie'cted by a contact device 90 connected to the circuit 66 of the electromagnet by a conductor 92 in parallel with the contact devices 68. Su ported upon the frame is a casing 94, at the inner side of the front of which is fixed a terminal 96, to which the conductor 92 is united. Pivoted at 98 within the casing 94, to move into and out of ehgagement with the terminal 96 andv thus close and open the shunt on the contact devices 68, is a switch-bladelOO joined to one of the conductors 66. Below its fulcrum-point, the switch-blade has, projectin at one side, a pin 102 engaged by the forke lower end of an arm 104 secured to a spindle 106 rotatable in a horizontal position at the upper portion of the casing. This arm is shown 1n Fi 3 of the drawin s as broken away, to disc ose the switch-bla e behind it. The s indle has also fast upon it an arm 108 joine by a link 110 to a be l-crank lever 112 fulcrumed upon the frame. From the opposite arm of the lever. from that to which the link is connected projects a in 114 entering a groove in a cam 116. e cam is fixed upon t e end of a horizontal shaft118 journaled in the frame and rotated continuously during the operation of the machine by. earing 120 joining it to the turret 10. The orm of the cam-groove is such that, during a considerable portion.of its rotation, the connecting elements will be moved to close the circuit by holding the blade 100 against the fixed contact -tion introducing no structural comp latter to stop current-consumption.

96. When a jog in the camgroove reaches the pin 114, the blade 100 is swung away from the contact to open the circuit, this occurring at the period durin which the contacts 68 are normally close In starting the machine in operation, the handle 58 is raised to close the switch 44, thus starting the motor 19. The handle is held until the picking devices have reached their work-engaging positions, and have raised work'portions S from each of the magazines. At this time, provided the action of the picking devices has been normal, the conductors 66 will be complete, all the gaps therein being closed at the contact devices 68. Consequently, the magnet 64 receives current from the generator 40, holding down its armature 62 to retain the shaft 56 and the switch in the active position. As the elevation of the pickers from the magazines began, the depression in. the groove of the cam 116 was approaching the pin 114, and when the contact devices 68 should have been closed as a result of the engagement of the work-portions, this cam opens the contact device 90, leaving the control of the electro-magnet dependent upon the contacts 68. A little later in the cycle, when the picking devices are starting upon their horizontal travel and the plungers 86 leave the pins 80, which yield laterally to facilitate this, the jog in the cam-groove travels from the pin 114 and closes the contact device 90, so that a conductive shunt is placed upon the contactdevices 68. Then, when the latter 0 en, as a result of the separation of the pins 80 from the plunger 86, the circuit between the current-source and motor is maintained, and the operation of the machine goes on uninterrupted. This continues until the pickers fail to functionate properly, or until the handle 58 is lowered by the operator to forcibly draw the armature 62 away from the electro-magnet. In either case the machine stops, because the currentsupplycircuit is opened. An effective guard is t erefore furnished against the roduction of imperfect work, or the brea age of the machine from this cause.

The electro-magnetic locking of the controlling connections for the motor leaves the organization free for manual release by separation of the armature 62 from the magnet-pole, this capability for manual a'cltuaications. A switch 122 is shown in the circuit between the current-source and the electromagnet for the purpose of de-energizingrtlhe is also furnishes a means for rendering the machine inactive, in addition to the handle 58.

While the application of m to the apparatus herein describe utility, It is to be understood that it is not thus limited; but may be employed wherever invention is of great ferring device arran ed to remove work-- control of the character indicated is desired.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for operating upon a work-portion, a delivering device movable into co-operation with the operating mechanism, and means for governing the operating mechanism, said governing means being actuated to cause the action of the operating mechanism by an element of the machine movable with the delivering device and on said device in preparation for such actuation.

2. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for operating upon a work-portion, a delivering device movable into cooperation with the operating mechanism and having a member movable by the work, and means for governing the operating mechanism, said governing means being actuated by the work-controlled member of the de livering device.

3. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for operating upon a work-portion, a delivering device movable into cooperation with the operating mechanism and having a member movable by the work, means for governing the operating mechanism, said governing means being actuated by the work-controlled member of the delivering device, and means actuated periodically in the operation of the machine for governing the operating mechanism.

4. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for operating upon a work-portion, a delivering device movable into cooperation with the operating mechanism, means for governing the operating mechanism, said governing means being actuated by the delivering device at a particular point in its movement, and means-actuated at portions of the cycle of operation for nullifying the effect of such governing means.

5. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for operating upon a work-portion, a holder for work-portions, a transferring device movable between the holder and the operating mechanism, and means made efi'ectlve under the influence of a work-portion in such movement for governing the operating mechanism.

6. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for operating upon a work-portion, a holder for work-portions, a transportions from the ho der and movable between said holder and the operating mechanism, and means controlled by the transferring device for stopping the operating mechanism.

7. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for operating upon a work-portion, a holder for work-portions, a transferring device movable between the holder and the operating mechanism, means made e fective under the influence of a work-porth in such movement for governing the opera ing mechanism, and an independent aut matie means for governing the operatir mechanism.

8. In a machine of the class describe mechanism for operating upon a work-p0 tion, a holder for work-portions, a tran fcrring device movable between the hOldt and the operating mechanism, means mat effective under the influence of a work-pot tion in such movement for governing tl operating mechanism, and means actuate during a predetermined period in the eye: of operation for nullifying such governin effect.

9. In a machine of the class describe mechanism for operating upon a work-poi tion, a holder for work-portions, a transfei ring device movable between the holder an the operating mechanism, means controlle by the transferring device for stopping th operating mechanism, and means actuate during a predetermined period in the cycl of operation for preventing the stopping o the operating mechanism.

10. In a machine of the class described mechanism for operating upon a work-per tion, a holder for work-portions, a transfer ring device movable to deliver a work-por tion from the holder to the operating mech anism, means for driving the machine, am means made effective during the initia movement of the transferring device and i1 absence of a work-portion therefrom f0; stopping the driving means.

11. In a machine of the class described mechanism for operating upon a work portion, a holder for work-portions, transferring device movable to deliver z work-portion from the holder to the oper ating mechanism, means for driving the machine, means made effective durin the initial movement of the transferring evice and in absence of a work-portion therefrom for stopping the driving means, and means actuated during other portions of the movement for continuing operation of the driving means regardless of the condition of the transferring device.

12. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of o crating means, means for delivering a wor -portion to each of the operating means, and plural controlling means co-operating to stop the operation of the machine in absence of a work-portion at any one of the delivering means.

13. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating mechanisms, a delivering device co-operating with each operating mechanism, and means governed by the joint action of all the delivering devices for controlling the operating mechanisms.

14. In a machine of the class described, a

plurality of operating mechanisms, a deiVering device co-operating with each operating mechanism means overned jointly by the delivering devices r controlling the )perating mechanisms, and means for nullifying the governing effect of the delivering devices.

'15. In a machine for assembling shoeportions, a magazine for shoe-portions, a mechanism for operating upon such portions, driving mechanism for said operating mechanism, a device for engaging a portion in the magazine and transferring it to the operating mechanism, a member movable upon the transferring device by the engaged portion, and controllin means for the driv-.

tions, a magazine for shoe-portions, a mocha-'- nism for operating upon such portions, driving mechanism for said operating mechanism, a device for engaging a portion in the magazine and transferring it to the operating mechanism, a. member movable upon the transferring device by the engaged portion, controlling means for the driving mechanism actuated b the member when thus moved, and contro lin means for'the driving mechanism operab e during a predetermined period of each cycle of operation of the machine.

18. In a machine for assembling shoe-portions, a magazine for shoe-portions, a mechanism for operatin upon such portions, driving mechanism or said operating mechanism, a device for eng g a portion in the "magazine and transferring it to the operat-, ing mechanism, a plunger mounted upon the transferring device for movement by the engged portion a contact device operable by e plunger w en thus moved, a second contact device, a cam for operating said second contact device, and connectionsbetween the contact devices and driving mechanism.-

19.' In a machine for assembling shoe-portions, cooperating .molds, mechanism for imparting relative movement to the molds, a traveling picking device for delivering to the molds, a member movable upon the picking device by the shoe-portions engaged thereb a controlling member rabe the pihg device member when t us mov and means interposed between the controlling member and the mold-operating mechanism and organized to place such mechanism under the influence of the movement of the members. i

20. In a machine for assembling shoe-portions, cooperating molds, mechanism for imparting relative movement to the molds, a traveling picking device for delivering to the molds, a member movable upon the picking device by the shoe-portions engaged thereby, a contact device operable in the travel of the picking device by the member when thus moved, and connections between the contact device and mold-moving mechanism.

21. In a machine for assembling shoe-portions, cooperating molds, mechanism for imparting relative movement to the molds, a

traveling picking device for delivering to the molds, a member movable upon the icking device by the shoe-portions engaged thereby, a controlling member operable by the picking device member when thus moved, means interposed between the controlling member and the mold-operating mechanism and organized to place such a mechanism under the influence of the movement of the members, and controlling f-fmeans for the mold-operating mechanism -actuated by the machine independentlyof the action of the picking device.

22. In a machine for assembling shoe-portions, cooperating molds, mechanism for imparting relative movement to the molds, a

travelin picking device for delivering to the mol s, a member movable upon the picking device by the shoe-portions engaged thereby, a contact device operable in the travel of the picking device by the member when thus moved, a contact device operable independently of the picking device, and connections between the contact devices. and the moldsmoving mechanism. o

23. In a sole making machine, a magazine for sole-portions, relatively movable molds for forming such portions, 9.- motor for operating the molds, a picking device movablebetween the magazine and molds, a plunger movable upon the picking device to be raised by an enga ed portion, a movable member supported above the magazine for actuation by the raised plunger, and connections arranged to control the motor upon the move- -ment of the member.

' '24. In a sole-making machine, a magazine for sole-portions, relatively movable molds for forming such portions, a motor foro crating the molds, a picking device movab e between the magazine and molds, a plunger movable upon the picking device to be raised by an. en ged portion, a movable member supporteflbove the magazine for actuation by the raised plunger, connections arra to control the motor upon the movement of the member, and a device operable by the machine independently of the engaged portion for varying the connections to control the inotor.

25. In a machine for assemblng shoe-portions, a plurality of magazines for the shoeportions, a mechanism associated with each magazine for operating upon the shoe-portions, a driving mechanism common to the operating mechanisms, a transferring device traveling between each magazine and its operating mechanism and being provided with a member movable by the engaged portion, and means for rendering the driving means ineffective when but a portion of the members are thus moved.

26. In a machine for assembling shoe-portions, a plurality of magazines for the shoeportions, a mechanism associated with each magazine for operating upon the shoe-portions, a driving mechanism common to the operating mechanisms, a transferring device traveling between each magazine and its operating mechanism and being provided with a member movable by the engaged portion, and controlling connections between the members and driving mechanism, said connections being effective only when all of the members have been moved.

27. In a machine for assembling shoe-portions, a plurality of magazines for the shoeportions, a mechanism associated with each magazine for operating upon theshoe-portions, a driving mechanism common to the operating mechanisms, a transferring device traveling between each magazine and its operating mechanism and being provided with a member movable by the engaged portion means for rendering the driving means inefl ective when but a portion of the members are thus moved, and means for rendering the driving mechanism effective independently of the movement of the members.

28. In a machine for assembling shoe-portions, a plurality of magazines for the shoeportions, a mechanism associated with each magazine for operating upon the shoe-portions, a driving mechanism common to the operating mechanisms, a transferring device traveling between each magazine and its operating mechanism and being provided with a member movable by the engaged portion, controlling connections between the members and driving mechanism, said connections being effective only when all of the members have been moved, and a controlling device acting upon the connections to render thedriving mechanism eflt'ective independently of the members.

29. In a machine for assembling shoe-portions, a rotatable turret, a pluralit of molds carried thereby, co-operatmg mo ds, a plurality of delivering devices for shoe-portlons co-operating with the molds, and means for stopping the machine in absence of a shoeportion from a delivering device during portion of the cycle of operation.

30. In a machine of the class describi mechanism for operating upon a work-pr tion, a device for delivering work-portic to the operating mechanism, driving mecl nism for the operating mechanism, contr ling connections for the driving mechanis said connections being provided with member for movement by the operator start and stop the machine, and means a ing upon the connections to render the dr. ing mechanism efl'ective during the norm operation of the machine and to automa cally render it inetl'ective upon departt from normal, such means leaving the conni tions at all times responsive to actuation the member by the operator.

31. In a machine of the class described mechanism for operating upon a work-p1 tion, a movable delivering device cooper; ing with the operating mechanism, a moi for driving the operating mechanism, an e ergizing circuit for the. motor, and a dev. having opposite contact portions movable gether with the delivering device for cc trolling the energizing circuit and being cc trolled by the delivering device.

32. In a machine of the class described mechanism for operating upon a work-p1 tion, a delivering device cooperating wi the operating mechanism, a motor for dry ing the operating mechanism, an energizi circuit for the motor, a contact device 1 controlling the energizin circuit and bei controlled by the delivering device, and a other contact device for controlling the em gizing circuit, this last-named contact dev. being actuated periodically in the operati of the machine.

33. In a machine of the class describi mechanism for operatin upon a work-p4 tion, a plurality of de vering devices operating with the operating mechanism, motor for driving the machine, an energ ing circuit for the motor and a contact c vice for each deliverin device, said cont: devices being arrange in series to conti the energizing circuit.

34. In a machine of the class describ mechanism for operatin uponra work-p tion, a plurality of de ivering devices operating with the operating mechanism, motor for drivin the machine, an energ ing circuit for t e motor, a contact deal for each delivering device, said contact 6 vices being arranged in series to control t energizing circuit, and a contact device pl allel with such series devices.

35. In a machine of the class dBSCI'ibi mechanism for operating upon a work-p tion, a plurality of delivering devices operating with the operating mechanism, motor for driving the machine, an energ vices being arranged, in series energizing circuit, a contact device parallel 1,ce7,ees

a contact device said contact dcto control the ing circuit for the motor, for each delivering device,

with such series devices, and means for actuating such parallel device periodically in the operation of a machine.

' 36. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for operating upon a work-portion,.driving mechanism therefor, a circuit for controlling the driving mechanism, a switch in the circuit, means for opening and closi the switch, an electro-magnet an range means in its closing position, a circuit for the electro-magnet, and means controlled by the work-portion for governing the circuit tomatic means 38. In a machine for assembling ,shoe-por- I I range of the electro-magnet.

37. In a machine of the class described,

mechanism for operating upon awork-por-' mechanism therefor, a circuit for controlling the driving mechanism, a switch in the'c rcuit, means for opening and closin theswitch, an electro-magnet arto maintain the switch actuating means in its closing position, a circuit for the electro-ma et, means controlled by the work-portion or governing the circuit of the electro-magnet, and an independent aufor controlling such circuit.

tion, driving to maintain the switch-actuating circuit for the electro-ma tions, a magazine, a transferrin arranged to deliver from the magazine to the molds, an electricmotor for driving the machine, an energizing circuit for the motor,

an electro-magnet for maintaining the moshoe-portion held by thetransferrin device,

a contact device arran ed in para elwith the shoe-portion-control ed device, and means operable independentl of the shoe-portions for assembling shoerelatively movable molds, device for the shoe-portions 7 for opening this paral el contact device during the time of engagement of the transferring device with a shoe-portion and closing it at other times. a Y

In testimony whereof have my name to this specification.

LAURENCE E. TOPHAM. 

